Special content sections: introduction     

Nicholas Chrisman 《制图学和地理信息科学》2017,44(5)

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Instrumentation Development for In Situ 40Ar/39Ar Planetary Geochronology          下载免费PDF全文

Leah E. Morgan  Madicken Munk  Brett Davidheiser‐Kroll  Nicholas H. Warner  Sanjeev Gupta  Rachel Slaybaugh  Patrick Harkness  Darren F. Mark 《Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research》2017,41(3):381-396

The chronology of the Solar System, particularly the timing of formation of extra‐terrestrial bodies and their features, is an outstanding problem in planetary science. Although various chronological methods for in situ geochronology have been proposed (e.g., Rb‐Sr, K‐Ar), and even applied (K‐Ar), the reliability, accuracy, and applicability of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method makes it by far the most desirable chronometer for dating extra‐terrestrial bodies. The method however relies on the neutron irradiation of samples, and thus a neutron source. Herein, we discuss the challenges and feasibility of deploying a passive neutron source to planetary surfaces for the in situ application of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar chronometer. Requirements in generating and shielding neutrons, as well as analysing samples are described, along with an exploration of limitations such as mass, power and cost. Two potential solutions for the in situ extra‐terrestrial deployment of the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method are presented. Although this represents a challenging task, developing the technology to apply the ⁴⁰Ar/³⁹Ar method on planetary surfaces would represent a major advance towards constraining the timescale of solar system formation and evolution.  相似文献   

Reply to Lago et al. Comment on “Use of Single‐Well Tracer Dilution Tests to Evaluate LNAPL Flux at Seven Field Sites and Measurement of LNAPL Flux Using Single‐Well Intermittent Mixing Tracer Dilution Tests”          下载免费PDF全文

Tom Sale  Nicholas Mahler  Tim Smith 《Ground water》2016,54(5):624-624

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Development of ST:REAM: a reach‐based stream power balance approach for predicting alluvial river channel adjustment          下载免费PDF全文

Chris Parker  Colin R Thorne  Nicholas J Clifford 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2015,40(3):403-413

River channel sediment dynamics are important in integrated catchment management because changes in channel morphology resulting from sediment transfer have important implications for many river functions. However, application of existing approaches that account for catchment‐scale sediment dynamics has been limited, largely due to the difficulty in obtaining data necessary to support them. It is within this context that this study develops a new, reach‐based, stream power balance approach for predicting river channel adjustment. The new approach, named ST:REAM (sediment transport: reach equilibrium assessment method), is based upon calculations of unit bed area stream power (ω) derived from remotely sensed slope, width and discharge datasets. ST:REAM applies a zonation algorithm to values of ω that are spaced every 50 m along the catchment network in order to divide the branches of the network up into relatively homogenous reaches. ST:REAM then compares each reach's ω value with the ω of its upstream neighbour in order to predict whether or not the reach is likely to be either erosion dominated or deposition dominated. The paper describes the application of ST:REAM to the River Taff in South Wales, UK. This test study demonstrated that ST:REAM can be rapidly applied using remotely sensed data that are available across many river catchments and that ST:REAM correctly predicted the status of 87.5% of sites within the Taff catchment that field observations had defined as being either erosion or deposition dominated. However, there are currently a number of factors that limit the usefulness of ST:REAM, including inconsistent performance and the need for additional, resource intensive, data to be collected to both calibrate the model and aid interpretation of its results. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Design,simulation, and large‐scale testing of an innovative vibration mitigation device employing essentially nonlinear elastomeric springs          下载免费PDF全文

Jie Luo  Nicholas E. Wierschem  Larry A. Fahnestock  Billie F. Spencer Jr.  D. Dane Quinn  D. Michael McFarland  Alexander F. Vakakis  Lawrence A. Bergman 《地震工程与结构动力学》2014,43(12):1829-1851

This study proposes an innovative passive vibration mitigation device employing essentially nonlinear elastomeric springs as its most critical component. Essential nonlinearity denotes the absence (or near absence) of a linear component in the stiffness characteristics of these elastomeric springs. These devices were implemented and tested on a large‐scale nine‐story model building structure. The main focus of these devices is to mitigate structural response under impulse‐like and seismic loading when the structure remains elastic. During the design process of the device, numerical simulations, optimizations, and parametric studies of the structure‐device system were performed to obtain stiffness parameters for the devices so that they can maximize the apparent damping of the fundamental mode of the structure. Pyramidal elastomeric springs were employed to physically realize the optimized essentially nonlinear spring components. Component‐level finite element analyses and experiments were conducted to design the nonlinear springs. Finally, shake table tests using impulse‐like and seismic excitation with different loading levels were performed to experimentally evaluate the performance of the device. Experimental results demonstrate that the properly designed devices can mitigate structural vibration responses, including floor acceleration, displacement, and column strain in an effective, rapid, and robust fashion. Comparison between numerical and experimental results verified the computational model of the nonlinear system and provided a comprehensive verification for the proposed device. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Terrestrial laser scanning of rock slope instabilities          下载免费PDF全文

Antonio Abellán  Thierry Oppikofer  Michel Jaboyedoff  Nicholas J. Rosser  Michael Lim  Matthew J. Lato 《地球表面变化过程与地形》2014,39(1):80-97

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Spatial distribution of nitrate and related factors in the High Plains Aquifer,Texas     

Nicholas Enwright  Paul F. Hudak 《Environmental Geology》2009,58(7):1541-1548

Utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and statistics, objectives of this study were to evaluate: (a) the spatial distribution of nitrate concentrations in groundwater, and (b) associations between nitrate concentrations and: proximity to playa lakes, hydraulic conductivity of soil, well depth, and land use in the High Plains Aquifer, Texas. Data were compiled from wells sampled during 2000–2008. Nitrate concentrations in approximately 9% of wells exceeded the maximum contaminant level for drinking water. Concentrations were generally higher beneath urban and agricultural land, under permeable soil, and in shallow wells (especially in the southern part of the study area). However, concentrations were lower near playa lakes. While playas focus recharge to groundwater, denitrification in reducing environments lower nitrate concentrations beneath them. This study identifies areas vulnerable to nitrate contamination that warrant continued monitoring and mitigation efforts.  相似文献   

A Mass Balance Approach to Resolving LNAPL Stability     

Nicholas Mahler  Tom Sale  Mark Lyverse 《Ground water》2012,50(6):861-871

This article explores the hypothesis that natural losses of light nonaqueous phase liquids (LNAPLs) through dissolution and evaporation can control the overall extent of LNAPL bodies and LNAPL fluxes observed within LNAPL bodies. First, a proof‐of‐concept sand tank experiment is presented. An LNAPL (methyl tert‐butyl ether) was injected into a sand tank at five constant injection rates that were increased stepwise. Initially, for each injection rate the LNAPL bodies expanded quickly. With time the rate of expansion of the LNAPL bodies slowed and at extended times the extent of the LNAPL became constant. Attainment of a stable LNAPL extent is attributed to rates of LNAPL addition being equal to rates of LNAPL losses through dissolution and evaporation. Secondly, analytical solutions are developed to extrapolate the processes observed in the proof‐of‐concept experiment to dimensions and time frames that are consistent with field‐scale LNAPL bodies. Three LNAPL body geometries that are representative of common field conditions are considered including one‐dimensional, circular, and oblong shapes. Using idealized conditions, the solutions describe volumetric LNAPL fluxes as a function of position in LNAPL bodies and the overall extent of LNAPL bodies as a function of time. Results from both the proof‐of‐concept experiment and the mathematical developments illustrate that natural losses of LNAPL can play an important role in governing LNAPL fluxes within LNAPL bodies and the overall extent of LNAPL bodies.  相似文献   

Levee effects upon flood levels: an empirical assessment   总被引：1，自引：0，他引：1  

Reuben A. Heine  Nicholas Pinter 《水文研究》2012,26(21):3225-3240

This study used stream gauge records to assess the impact of levees on flood levels, providing an empirical test of theoretical and model predictions of the effects on local flood response. Focusing upon a study area in Illinois and Iowa for which levee records were available, we identified 203 gauges with ≥ 50 years hydrological record, including 15 gauges where a levee was constructed during the period of record. At these sites, step‐change analysis utilizing regression residuals tested levee‐related stage changes and levels of significance and quantified the magnitudes of stage changes. Despite large differences in stream sizes, levee alignments, and degree of floodplain constriction, the post‐levee rating‐curve adjustments showed consistent signatures. For all the study sites, stages for below bankfull (non‐flood) conditions were unaffected by levee construction. For above bankfull (flood) conditions, stages at sites downstream of their associated levees also were statistically indistinguishable before versus after levee construction. However, at all sites upstream of levees or within leveed reaches, stages increased for above bankfull conditions. These increases were abrupt, statistically significant, and generally large in magnitude – ranging up to 2.3 m (Wabash River at Mt. Carmel, IL). Stage increases began when discharge increased above bankfull flow and generally increased in magnitude with discharge until the associated levee(s) were overtopped. Detailed site assessments and supplementary data available from some sites helped document the dominant mechanisms by which levees can increase flood levels. Levee construction reduces the area of the floodplain open to storage of flood waters and reduces the width of the floodplain open to conveyance of flood flow. Floodplain conveyance often is underestimated or ignored, but Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements analysed here confirm previous studies that up to 70% or more of the total discharge during large floods (~3% chance flood) can move over the floodplain. Upstream of levees and levee‐related floodplain constriction, backwater effects reduce flow velocities relative to pre‐levee conditions and, thus, increase stages for a given discharge. The empirical results here confirm a variety of theoretical predictions of levee effects but suggest that many one‐dimensional model‐based predictions of levee‐related stage changes may underestimate actual levee impacts. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.  相似文献   

Magnitude and frequency of grain flows on a desert sand dune     

Carrie Breton  Nicholas Lancaster  William G. Nickling 《Geomorphology》2008,95(3-4):518-523

Preliminary studies of the magnitude and frequency of lee side avalanches (grain flows) on a Namib crescentic dune show that the frequency of grain flows for a given segment of the lee face is dependent on the wind speed and sand transport rate for the period preceding their initiation; and the magnitude of the flows as described by their area is inversely proportional to the interval between flows and thus wind speed and sand transport rates. These studies indicate the potential of using a simple digital video camera technique to document the magnitude, frequency and geometry of grain flows on desert sand dunes.  相似文献